Last month: France vs Luxembourg 0-0
Today: Sweden vs Luxembourg 8-0
So going by my old school-mates standards, Sweden should beat France 8-0. Right?
But what it really means is that there will be no Orange invasion of Russia next summer. Too bad. A World Cup with the Dutch is always more fun. Holland have to beat Sweden 7-0 on Tuesday to make the playoffs. Sweden could still end up snatching first place from France if they beat Holland and the ghost of David Ginola returns to haunt France when they play Belarus.
It wasn't quite the Portuguese pummeling Andorra while Hungary did Portugal a favour against Switzerland. The Swiss made it nine wins out of nine as they thumped Hungary 5-2, while Portugal beat Andorra 2-0. Portugal need to beat Switzerland on Tuesday to qualify without needing to go through the playoffs.
It's all over for Zambia. The fairy tale I hoped for is over after they lost to Nigeria who became the first African team to qualify. Tunisia and Senegal are pretty close. Morocco's win set up a winner takes all final round clash against second placed Ivory Coast. Egypt can qualify tomorrow with a win against Congo. Ghana are almost out after drawing 0-0 in Uganda. But the Ghanaian FA have lodged a protest with Fifa, asking for the match to be replayed after a last minute goal was ruled out for offside.
Tomorrow it's the last match in qualifying for some European teams. England will play Lithuania in what will probably be a real bore-fest. Turn your TV's off if you happen to come across it. At the same time Slovakia play Malta and Slovenia play Scotland. Both Slovenia and Scotland, and me, will be hoping the Maltese give their coach a good send off in his final match. Slovenia need to win and hope for a Malta win to make the playoffs. If Slovakia don't beat Malta then Scotland only need a draw.
This excitement never ends. More tomorrow night.
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